Most remodeling companies in Orange County send a salesperson to your door. Then a different designer shows up. Then a crew you’ve never met starts tearing apart your home.
That’s not how Tom Stout built this company. At Stout Design : Build Inc the same people who design your home remodeling project are the ones who build it. Tom walks your property himself. He reads the soil, the light, the layout. He’s been doing this since 1986 — right here in OC.
We’re based at 5611 Heil Ave in Huntington Beach. Our clients live on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach, in the gated communities of Coto de Caza, along Crown Valley Parkway in Laguna Niguel, and throughout the neighborhoods of Irvine and Dana Point. We know this county. We know how HOAs work in Mission Viejo. We know what Laguna Beach coastal permits require. This is our backyard.
What makes a Stout design : build inc company different from a regular contractor?
A design-build firm handles both design and construction under one roof. You get one contract, one team, and one point of contact. No gap between what was designed and what gets built.
Why Stout Design : Build Inc Is the Right Choice for Your Home Remodeling Project
1. General contractor
2. Landscape contractor
3. Pool contractor.
That’s rare. It means you don’t need three separate companies for one home remodeling project. One call covers your kitchen remodel, your bathroom remodel, your backyard, and your pool. Everything moves together on one timeline. We’re a family-owned business. Tom’s name is on every job. That personal accountability doesn’t exist at larger firms. Clients like Sharon Dai and Russ Caditz-Peck hired us because they wanted someone who actually shows up and then follows up after the project is done.
What Sets Us Apart From Other OC Renovation Companies
We offer same-day response on new project inquiries. Most competitors take 48 to 72 hours. We know Orange County homeowners move fast especially when a permit window opens or an HOA deadline is approaching.
We handle every permit and HOA approval in-house. If you live in a community governed by strict CC&Rs like those in Laguna Woods, Aliso Viejo, or Rancho Santa Margarita we’ve dealt with those boards before. We know exactly what they want to see.
We’re fully licensed and insured in California. Our contractor license number is on file with the CSLB. We carry liability insurance on every active job site. No shortcuts. No subcontractors hired off Craigslist.
Our Home Remodeling Services
Every service below is designed and built by the same core team. No handoffs. No confusion. Just clean work delivered on schedule.
Kitchen Remodeling
Custom cabinets, countertops, layouts, and lighting. We design kitchens that work for how your family actually cooks not just how they look in a showroom photo. An open-concept kitchen remodel is consistently the highest-returning project in the Orange County market.
Bathroom Remodeling
From powder rooms in Irvine condos to master bathroom overhauls in Newport Beach estates. Our bathroom remodeling service covers tile, plumbing, fixtures, and waterproofing from start to finish. A master bathroom remodel in Orange County typically runs $20,000 to $45,000.
Outdoor Living & Backyard Remodeling
Patios, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, fire features, and seating areas designed as one connected space. Perfect for homes along Balboa Peninsula or in the hills above Laguna Beach.
Custom Pool & Spa Design
Tom is a licensed pool contractor. Pools designed as architectural centerpieces not afterthoughts. Integrated with your landscape and hardscape from day one.
Room Additions & ADUs
Need a home office, guest suite, or accessory dwelling unit? We pull every permit, manage engineering, and handle construction fully compliant with OC building codes.
Full Home Renovation
Complete gut-and-rebuild projects from Dana Point to Fullerton. One contract. One team. One project manager on-site every day until it's done right.
Do I need a permit for a home remodel?
Yes most projects involving plumbing, electrical, or structural work require permits in OC. Every city has slightly different rules. Huntington Beach, Irvine, and Newport Beach each have their own building departments. We pull every permit for you at no extra stress.
Case Studies
These are real OC yards with real grades, real HOA requirements, and real families who wanted to use them.
What a Home Remodel Means for Your Health, Wallet, and Property
A remodel isn’t just about looks. It changes how you live in your home every single day.
Older OC homes especially those built before 1980 can carry mold in bathroom walls, outdated ventilation, and materials that affect air quality. A proper home remodeling project addresses all of it. Better ventilation, modern waterproofing, and non-toxic materials make a measurable difference in daily health.
According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2025 Cost vs. Value Report, kitchen and bathroom remodels in the Pacific region return between 65% and 80% of their cost at resale. In Orange County’s market, where median home prices exceed $900,000, a well-executed remodel can add $80,000 to $200,000 in sale value
Updated windows, insulation, and HVAC integration during a remodel can cut monthly utility bills by 20% to 35%. California’s energy codes now require specific standards in remodels — we meet every one of them and often exceed them.
A kitchen that works. A bathroom that doesn’t feel cramped. An outdoor space that actually gets used. These aren’t luxuries they’re the difference between a house you tolerate and a home you love coming back to.
Our Remodeling Process
Every Stout Design Build home remodeling project follows the same five stages. You know what’s happening at every step.
How long does a full home remodel take in Orange County?
A kitchen or bathroom remodel runs 2 to 6 weeks from permit approval. A full home renovation runs 8 to 20 weeks. Permit turnaround at your city’s building department is the main timeline variable. We track it and flag delays early.
Equipment We Use on Every Project
3D Design & Rendering Software
Laser-Level Layout Tools
Commercial-Grade Tile Saws
Moisture Detection Equipment
Smart Irrigation Controllers
Grading & Drainage Equipment
Dust Containment Systems
Pool Automation Technology
How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Orange County?
In Orange County, most kitchen remodels run between $35,000 and $120,000 depending on the size of the space, cabinet choice, and appliance selection. Newport Beach and Laguna Beach kitchens with custom cabinetry and high-end stone often land above that range. We give you an itemized estimate no lump sum guessing.
How We Compare to Other OC Home Remodelers
We’re not the only option in OC. Here’s an honest look at how we compare to common alternatives.
| What Matters to You | Stout Design : Build Inc | Large OC Firms | Independent Handymen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Same design & build team | ✓ Always | Rarely — separate depts | No design capability |
| Licensed GC + Landscape + Pool | âś“ All three licenses | Usually GC only | âś— None |
| Permit & HOA management | ✓ Fully managed | Sometimes — extra cost | ✗ Not offered |
| Same-day response | ✓ Yes | 48–72 hrs average | Varies widely |
| 3D design visualization | âś“ Included standard | Often extra cost | âś— Not offered |
| Family-owned accountability | ✓ Tom’s name on every job | ✗ Corporate structure | Varies |
| 30+ years experience | ✓ Since 1986 | Some — verify independently | Rarely |
| Post-project follow-up | âś“ Standard practice | Uncommon | âś— Not offered |
Awards & Recognition
We let the work speak first. But these recognitions confirm what our clients already know.
CSLB Licensed General Contractor — State of California
Licensed Landscape Contractor — California
Licensed Pool Contractor — California
30+ Years Serving OC Homeowners
Kansas State University — Horticulture Degree (Tom Stout)
Certified Irrigation & Soil Management Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find a licensed home remodeling contractor in Orange County?
What should I ask a contractor before signing a renovation contract?
How do HOA rules affect home renovation?
What is the best time of year to remodel a home in Orange County?
Does a home remodel increase property taxes in California?
Do I need to move out during a home remodel in Orange County?
Begin Your Green Journey
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